There are many millions of people here illegally who are a great credit to the United States. Hopefully, we will one day have immigration reform which contains a path to citizenship for them, although the job of deciding who should get a ticket to the path and what the requirements are for traveling the path will be the subject of a great deal of controversy.

''CHILDREN ARE GOD'S WAY OF BRINGING DOWN A BIT OF HEAVEN INTO THE MIDST OF OUR WORLDINESS''

Tina is right. Many paint illegal immigrants with a broad brush and over simplify this problem. For 20+ years now our government (us in essence) has acted as willing enablers allowing entry into our country; allowing them to set up homes and businesses. To simply say "illegal is illegal??? and ???deport them all now??? is burying your head and not understanding the problem and our complicity in allowing it to continue for more than two decades. Not so simple any longer. Morally it would be reprehensible and arrogant to deport those who have resided here for a decade or more, raised a family (or brought young children here), and contributed to the fabric of our nation culturally and economically. Much like a spouse enabling their significant other to continue in alcoholic behavior by looking away and doing nothing we have contributed to the problem we face and therefore the end result must be a sensible moral solution. Tina is right; once some read a Hispanic surname in the paper many automatically jump to the conclusion that the person is an illegal immigrant. This country should be beyond this type of bigotry but clearly it is not. It makes me wonder if our neighbors to the South were also settled by white Europeans that conquered the indigenous and spoke our language and had Irish, British, French, etc surnames instead of Spanish and Indigenous surnames would the same conclusion be reached and would the anti immigration fervor be this profound and sometimes scary? There is no way to simplify such an insanely complex subject that impacts so many lives. Keep it civil and keep it intelligent.

You know all of you, I am going to call you bleeding hearts, would take a step back and realize that if these illegal people would just get in line and become citizens and accept America as their country we would not have this problem. If they would stop coming into the country over the border without the right documents and become citizens. Just want is it going to take for them to understand that is what we want and not the raping of America and yes that is what they are doing. They sneek across the border, they steal IDs, they get free services through having babies here, they take jobs by working under the table or working for far less than anyone else, they refuse to follow the enacted laws of the country. I could go on. When all they have to do is become citizens of the United States, stand in line like the rest and no I don't mean cut in line in front of somebody who in line already but get inline and wait your turn. What is so damn hard about that unless you never intended to do that in the first place.As always just my opinion.

If these illegal immigrants (the ones who thumb their nose at our laws and culture) are so virtuous, it stands to reason that if we sent them all back to Mexico, Mexico would become the most virtuous country on the planet, and all of those "honest, hard workers" could cure that country's ills in about three weeks.

We're a nation of laws, and there's no provision in those laws that allows exempting millions of people from obeying them. Any attempt to grant citizenship to foreigners has to be limited to foreigners who apply from their own countries and not be just handed to the crooks and cheats who flipped us the bird by jumping our borders and using false documents to take jobs, drive on our roads and apply for welfare that was never meant for them.

Al_E_Gator wrote:Every illegal alien in our country has a country of their own. Just because our country has better-paying jobs, that does not mean that we have to accept all of these foreigners who decide that they like what we have better than what they have. There is a process by which we accept lawful immigrants from other nations, and it includes medical testing, criminal records checks and proof that the immigrant can support him/herself and will be an asset to our country, not a detriment. Any foreigner can apply for this, and many will be accepted if they meet the criteria. Those immigrants are welcomed here. But the ones that Tina keeps advocating for are the ones who say "Hey America, we don't respect you or your laws, but we're coming in anyway so deal with it!" Those we don't need and have a right to reject (and remove by force if necessary), and if Tina wants to live with them, she can always move to any one of their countries. I'll even donate some moving boxes for her stuff.

The only part of this statement I agree with is that this is OUR country . That means that as part of this country I want the laws to change . I want all people to have equal protection under the law . I want all people to be able to pursue life, liberty and happiness .Yes, your right it is our country and you and yours will not make decisions alone . You might try to make it look like you represent all americans . I can tell you you don't . This american doesn't want the Berlin wall along our southern boarder . This american wants immigration reform .

Then I surmise by your logic that, since it's "our" country you can support our laws until they are changed in an open and free election which we have every 2 years in this country ,sometimes more at a local level. Otherwise don't justify breaking the law just because it suits your argument. If you want that to be precedent then I can use the same line of logic to say that speeding laws are for those that are poor drivers and those laws shouldn't apply to me since I'm experienced and have better skills. Therefore I can go as fast as I want because it's not convenient for me to go slow. Do you see how absurd that sounds? It's the same argument just a different subject that you are using to say it is okay to break the laws you don't agree with. In a republic (which is what the United States is) the people are represented by elected officials and abide by the laws and decisions made by said elected officials. In this particular republic government you have been guaranteed the right to redress your government. You must show respect or you will be seen as nothing more than a lawless person trying to enforce you will without due process. If you don't like the laws appeal for change, if you lose then it was not the will of the people and you need to accept that. Try again later but don't try and force another to your will against theirs just because you want it, that is called a dictatorship ask most of Egypt how that works out in the end.

Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin

I get it, I do, we have an illegal immigration problem in the U.S. We and every other wealthy country in the world. Welcome to globalization and the 21st century, where our labor laws have not kept pace with the realities of demography and a shifting world economy. How much would it cost taxpayers to apprehend, detain, try and deport 12 million people? How much more would it cost to build, staff and maintain a 2000 mile wall between here and Mexico? What would that even look like? I guarantee that putting people in cattle cars or tractor trailers to ship them to detainment camps would not go down too well, neither with illegal immigrants themselves, nor with many Americans (to say nothing of the rest of the world, and it's press). Do the haters really think that all the people here illegally would go willingly? Should we risk the lives of law enforcement officers to enforce curfews or raid businesses, or should we declare martial law until we are rid of this problem population? These are not well thought out solutions. Arizona's SB1070, the legislative darling of the wannabe tea party miltias, is not even close to a realistic solution. It's antagonistic to immigrants in general, latinos in particular, and it could be very dangerous for every cop not named Sheriff Joe Arpaio. That said, doing nothing is not the answer either. 12 million people live in these United States without legal status or its persuant guarantee of basic civil rights. That shadowy environment naturally breeds crime, and immigrants are often the victims as well as the perpetrators. Rational, pragmatic people need to come up with a solution to the benefit of all involved. As for the haters, well, to quote Ice-T: "Haters gon' hate." Peace out.

Then I surmise by your logic that, since it's "our" country you can support our laws until they are changed in an open and free election which we have every 2 years in this country ,sometimes more at a local level. Otherwise don't justify breaking the law just because it suits your argument. If you want that to be precedent then I can use the same line of logic to say that speeding laws are for those that are poor drivers and those laws shouldn't apply to me since I'm experienced and have better skills. Therefore I can go as fast as I want because it's not convenient for me to go slow. Do you see how absurd that sounds? It's the same argument just a different subject that you are using to say it is okay to break the laws you don't agree with. In a republic (which is what the United States is) the people are represented by elected officials and abide by the laws and decisions made by said elected officials. In this particular republic government you have been guaranteed the right to redress your government. You must show respect or you will be seen as nothing more than a lawless person trying to enforce you will without due process. If you don't like the laws appeal for change, if you lose then it was not the will of the people and you need to accept that. Try again later but don't try and force another to your will against theirs just because you want it, that is called a dictatorship ask most of Egypt how that works out in the end.

If you have been following this debate for years like I have you know the law doesn't work . As long as there are jobs for the immigrant the laws will not matter . They never have never will .Thats not my choice thats just the way it is . Change in the law is something many of us are trying to make . We can compare apples and oranges all day long . I think the law will be changed . Some will want revenge just like with the healthcare law .The people of Egypt are making change like we did in the past with a few bad laws . Some think the healthcare law is a bad law and work to change it again .

Lets see we that do not want the illegal immigrants here are called haters, racest and any other mulitude of names when in truth all we really want is the law enforced and all we have really said we don't care where thay have come from or what color or race they are. Yet you name callers insist on bring these out. Why? As always just my opinion.

Art wants all people to have rights in America. They do if they are citizens of America. He wants rights for the illegal aliens who are citizens of another country to have the same rights because they are from Mexico. I've never heard Art push to have dirt poor people from Africa to be brought into our Country illegally and be cared for by taxpayers, but when it comes to his viva la raza b s, hes all for letting hispanics come and stay because hes one of them. My opinion is Art is the biggest racist to post here , yet he calls the rest of us racist because we differ from his narrow mindedness.I dont personally care that Art thinks i'm a hater, but i dont want my Country invaded and taken over politically and changed into the same' third world place they came from!!!!

EdgewaterGuy wrote:So Art, judging by your posts on this article, you seem to have no problem with illegal immigration. That being said, then you should have no problem what so ever if I decide to walk in to your living room and set myself up to live there. No permission needed, I'll just walk in and act like I have every right to be there. Is that OK with you? After all, it's not fair that you have a better life than me, and I just want to try and better myself. You'll help me out and support me on my quest, right?

While I am at it, I will eat your food, use your heat and water, drive your car, and not pay you in full for what I use of yours. You will have no problem with that right? You will just eat the loss of your money and resources, right? If you don't allow me to do this, you are nothing but a knuckle dragging, ignorant, bible thumping racist....

This argument makes no sense at all . First they aren't taking anything of yours or mine . I see how you're trying to compare but it makes no sense at all . You left out raping my sister and killing my brother and all his kids . That makes no sense . They are not stealing from you or me . madoff did more harm the all the immigrants put together . Did you protest ? Madoff ripped you off big time . Did you protest ? You may ask your self what does madoff have to do with this article ? I say nothing . Just like your comment . It has nothing to do with this article .

. Someone with Viva La Raza in his profile should not be chiding ANYONE for acting superior.

How is that acting superior ?

3. Why is it that YOU are always the one making this a question of race? Could it be that when you can't make a point logically and rationally, making it about race is all you have?

So when anyone defends against racist they become racist . Nice try .

4. If it is not OK for me to come and live in your house, illegally, why is it OK for people to come to this country and live here illegally?

So are you saying that my house or your house can hold millions . This does not work . If it did work them we could use it to argue fracking . We could say they are drilling in our house and we don't like it . Silly really .

wow...you look more and more clueless with every post...

1. Viva La Raza is advocating one race over all others. It is no different than if I were to have White Power in my profile. when you try and advocate one over the others, you are esseentially saying that race is superior, thus making you a racist...which dovetails nicely into my next point...

3. You constantly accuse those who don't like illegal immigration of being racists, when that is just a tired stereotype used to sow divsion and makes the argument emotionally based instead of logic and fact based. You can't defend your position with logic and facts so you just throw the race card out there. I am not a racist. I dislike ALL illegal immigrants, regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, or national origin. You are unable to see past your hateful blinders of race, making most of your points no better than that of a white guy who is racist against non whites.

4. what part of METHPHOR do you still not understand? did you miss those few days in elementary school when they were teaching what one is?

artstarzz wrote: If you have been following this debate for years like I have you know the law doesn't work . As long as there are jobs for the immigrant the laws will not matter .

And that's because the "immigrants" that you and Tina constantly champion don't respect our laws and are willing to defy them just to put American dollars in their pockets and drop their kids on our soil.

And that disrespect is exactly why many of the rest of us will fight any attempt to reward them with American citizenship. They are the last sort of people that we need here.

artstarzz wrote: If you have been following this debate for years like I have you know the law doesn't work . As long as there are jobs for the immigrant the laws will not matter .

And that's because the "immigrants" that you and Tina constantly champion don't respect our laws and are willing to defy them just to put American dollars in their pockets and drop their kids on our soil.

And that disrespect is exactly why many of the rest of us will fight any attempt to reward them with American citizenship. They are the last sort of people that we need here.

Well, it takes at least 2 to fight . You will always have your opposition . Even after the laws are changed you will have opposition . People forget slow .

Tina, So again you condone illegal behavior? You apparently think its ok to commit a FELONY if you're a good illegal. Woman you are stuck on stupid which fits the DP nicely. Your problem is that you are many things before you are an American. Nice to see you are still a racist. I have never read an article from you that supports good BLACK felons or good ASAIN felons or god forbid a good WHITE felon. The reallity is ALL illegal Mexican's or whatever race they are, over shadow the the immigrants who come to our counrty and take the proper steps to legal status. You are such a moron and even worse the editor who publishes your baloney.Pathetic!

When the US is finished correcting the middle East, Mexico you can count on being next in line. The illegal immigrants in this country where ever you came from can count on a one way ticket home via bus, plane or however we choose if you don't leave on your own. Count on it.